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Adam Richman bared his soul in an intimate acoustic performance Tuesday night. The solo guitarist wore his heart on his sleeve and made sure the audience knew it.
The Pa. native and Washington D.C. transplant delivered one of the finer performances in the recent history of the weekly Java Jive music series.
The opener and one of the best songs of the night, “The District,” was an upbeat and heartfelt tribute to love and overcoming distance in a relationship.
“I’m just gonna play some songs … and you drink coffee or beer, and listen,” Richman said.
“Suck It Up” was the first of a batch of new songs Richman had written after a frustrating seven- month period without any fresh material. He said that the inspiration for his first CD was love and the start of a relationship. His new songs were written after being dumped.
“They are love songs, just one-sided,” he said.
Other early highlights included “One Over Two” and a cover of “Something Was Always Wrong” by Toad and the Wet Sprocket.
Throughout the night, Richman bantered with the crowd, telling stories about his experiences as a musician and the meanings behind his songs. At one point he even polled the audience.
“I’m up here telling you everything about me, it’s only fair,” Richman said.
The jazzy and upfront “Let’s Do It Again” was explained as a song about making out. Richman preceded the next tune, “Better,” with a story about growing his hair out, wearing a red bandanna for a year and writing a song about a girl whose name he could rhyme with it.
“You can laugh the first time you hear the chorus, but not after that,” he said.
“Portraits” was about Richman’s self-described “crappy 19th birthday,” while the pop piece “Everything That You Need” was written after he decided to become a musician. The John Mayer-ish acoustic candy “Bite My Tongue” came next. Richman closed with perhaps the best song of the evening, “From the Pain,” which he said was written for a full band.
Talkative and witty, Richman seemed perfectly at ease playing out his emotions on stage. His performance was excellent. Well-crafted and catchy songs were supplemented by a mellow, yet hopeful voice and smooth guitar hooks. At times melancholy, others upbeat, Richman was solid throughout his set.
He is just as enthusiastic about his chosen profession.
“Nothing compares to getting up everyday and doing something you love,” he said.
Richman said he has always known that he wanted to be a musician. Every year since seventh grade, he would rent a four-track recorder for his birthday and record songs. He lists Nirvana, Guns n’ Roses, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, the Indigo Girls and “pretty much all radio.”
His songwriting process is built around hooks.
“I have a lot of lyrics with no songs. If I can’t hear a song, it’s not musically worth keeping.”
Richman released his debut CD, Two, in 2001. He says that despite its age, it is a disc he is still proud of. He is currently touring the northeast and plans to record a record with a full band in the summer.
“Take away the fact that it’s my job, and I get paid, and I drive sometimes to play to no one…if people respond in a positive way after the show, it’s vindication. I’m valid,” Richman said.
Bangor Daily News